Mailbox Game

ABSTRACT

A mailbox game includes a mailbox having a rectangular container or box with an opening, a lid and a hinge that attaches the lid to the box to cover the opening. The game also includes play stamps having an adhesive backing. The mailbox may have a rotating flag that is attached to the box and there may also be a dial with to provide a mailbox status of full or empty.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATION

This utility patent application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/721,628 filed on Sep. 30, 2005.

BACKGROUND

Children are increasingly using the e-mail, instant messaging mobile telephones to communicate. This style of communication requires very little proper grammar and punctuation. As a result, children may be experiencing a loss of some reading and writing skills. Thus, a need exists to promote more formal written communication.

SUMMARY

The mailbox for children is a creative idea that broadens children's worlds by giving them a sense of independence and importance. The mailbox creates excitement for them when they check to see if they have mail. It encourages families to actually write letters again and builds family unity through the children. As a result, communication within the family and with friends is greatly enhanced and will help to revitalize and revolutionize letter writing.

In one general aspect, a mailbox game includes a mailbox having a rectangular container or box with an opening, a lid and a hinge that attaches the lid to the box to cover the opening. The game also includes play stamps having an adhesive backing.

Embodiments may include one or more of the following features. For example, the mailbox may have a rotating flag that is attached to the box. There may also be a dial to provide a mailbox status of full or empty.

The mailbox may have animated features, such as, for example, a set of eyes positioned on the box, curved cut-out areas on the lid that resembles a character having a forehead proximate to the eyes and a mail slot in a lower portion of the box that resembles a character with a mouth.

Rollers may be positioned in the box to deliver mail through a mail slot. The rollers are rotated by a motor which is controlled by a motor controller. A push-button switch may be used to send a command to the motor controller to operate the motor.

As another feature, the mailbox may have a motion sensor, a switch to operate the motion sensor, a speaker and a processor configured to emulate speech upon activation of the motion sensor.

In still another embodiment, the mailbox includes a platform positioned in the box, one or more springs positioned between the box and the platform and a lever to release the platform from a position of maximum spring compression.

In a further embodiment, the mailbox has a rotating axel mounted in the box, a platform attached to the rotatable axel and a lever to tilt the platform causing mail to slide out of the box.

In another general aspect, a method of playing a mail game includes mounting a toy mailbox to a door of a child's room, depositing mail in the mailbox and manipulating a signal device to indicate that mail is deposited in the mail box.

The game may have other features and other items may be part of the overall game, such as, for example, stationary and letters. The mailbox may also have drawing surfaces on the box and/or the lid.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a mailbox used in the game;

FIG. 2 shows a mailbox with a spring-loaded platform;

FIG. 3 shows a mailbox with animated features;

FIG. 4 shows delivery rollers installed in a mailbox;

FIG. 5 shows a mailbox with a tilting platform;

FIG. 6 is a schematic circuit diagram for the mailbox game; and

FIG. 7 shows a mailbox with status indicators and personalization features.

FIG. 8 shows a mailbox with a pivoting drawer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1A shows an embodiment of a mailbox 100 used in the game. The mailbox 100 is a rectangular box 102 with an opening, a lid 104 and a hinge 105 that attaches the lid 104 to the box 102 to cover the opening. Outer surfaces of the box 102 may be coated with a paint that can be used as a writing or drawing surface.

A flag 106 is attached to the outside of the mailbox 100. The flag may be rotated to a vertical position or it may be positioned horizontally. As another feature, a dial 108 is mounted to the outside of the mailbox to show a mail status as either empty or full. Alternatively, a sliding bar or other indicator may be used to show mail status.

In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 2, mail “pops” out of the top of the mailbox 200 when it is opened. A platform 202 is positioned inside the mailbox. A set of springs 204 is positioned between the bottom of the box 206 and the platform 202.

A rotatable flag 208 is positioned on the outside of the box 200 and is mounted to a circular shaft 210 which passes through a circular opening in the box 200. The shaft is attached to a lever 212 which has a curved portion 214 that can be rotated down against the platform 202 to compress the springs 204.

In operation, mail is placed inside the box and the lid 216 of the mailbox is closed. A clasp 218 secures the lid 216 to the box 206. The flag 208 is rotated to a vertical position to release the lever 212. The position of the mail between the lid 216 and the platform 202 prevents the platform from moving upward. Thus, once the lid 216 is reopened, the mail “pops” up into view above the top of the box 206.

As shown in FIG. 3, in one embodiment, the mailbox 300 has animated character features. The animated features include eyes 302 and a lid 304 that resembles a character with a forehead proximate to the eyes 302. A mail delivery slot 306 is positioned on the lower portion of the mailbox to resemble a mouth.

FIG. 4 shows a roller system to deliver mail through a mail delivery slot such as that shown in FIG. 3. A pair of rollers 402, 404 is positioned near the bottom of the box 406, with a curved ramp 408 positioned at the bottom of the box 406. A bracket 410 supports one end of the rollers 402, 204. On the opposing ends, roller 402 is driven by a motor 412 and roller 404 is supported by a bracket 414. Thus, mail that is dropped in through the top of the mailbox 400 can be pushed out through a mail slot. This can be accomplished by a push-button type of switch to operate the rollers.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the game. The mailbox 500 has a platform 502 mounted on a hinge that bisects the length of the platform. A lever 506 is positioned under the platform 506. The lever 506 has a handle 508 that extends through a hole 510 in the side of the mailbox 500. The handle 508 can be rotated to tilt of lift the platform 502 causing mail to slide out of the mailbox 500 when the lid 512 is opened.

Embodiments of the game may include a mailbox with lighting, a motion sensor and/or recorded sound or speech. Referring also to FIG. 6, the mailbox contains a processor 602 that is configured to provide the game with speech or music. The processor 602 is connected to switches 604, 606 and 608 which are activated by pressing a push button, rotating a lever and sensing motion, respectively. The processor 602 is connected to a speaker 610 and a motor 412 located in the mailbox 600. The processor 600 is activated by an on/off switch 612 located on the bottom of the mailbox.

When one of the switches 604, 606, 608 is actuated, the processor 602 responds by producing a signal that causes the speaker 610 to produce speech or other sounds. The processor 602 may produce different sounds and speech in response to actuation of different switches and different combinations of switches. In addition, if a particular switch is actuated multiple times, the processor 602 may produce different sounds and speech in response to each actuation.

When used in conjunction with the mailbox shown in FIG. 4, the motor 412 drives rollers 412, 414 to deliver mail through a mail slot.

When the mailbox is not manipulated within a predetermined time period (e.g., if a switch is not actuated within 30 seconds), the processor enters a sleep mode in which the processor turns off. Once the processor is in sleep mode, the on/off switch 612 must be actuated to turn on the processor.

The game may include play stamps with an adhesive backing and that have a similar appearance to U.S. Post Office stamps. The game may also have other accessories, such as, for example, stationary, letters, envelopes and/or notes. A package of letters may be included to personalize the mailbox with the child's name. The mailbox may also have other features such as a viewing peep-hole or a light, such as an LED. Various types of mail status indicators are shown in FIG. 7.

Surfaces may be smooth, textured, or ribbed depending on production suggestions from the manufacturer. Colors of mailbox may also vary. Some section on the front of the box may be left smooth and unobstructed to allow for future marketing of Trademark designs, for example, “Spiderman” or “My Little Pony.”

Certain safety features may be incorporated into the mailbox design. For example, edges of the mailbox may be rounded or folded. The mailbox may be made of high impact plastic in a variety of colors. The mailbox may also be designed for ease of use. For example, the mailbox may have a sliding drawer with a knob to pull out or push in the drawer. As another example, the mailbox may have a pivoting drawer such as that shown in FIG. 8.

Playing the game is fairly straight forward. The mailbox is mounted to the door of a child's bedroom with screws, an adhesive or magnets. Then, the child is encouraged to write letters to real and/or imaginary family members or friends. In turn, received letters are put into the mailbox of each child. Play stamps can be used to send a letter within a household so that the children have the feel of receiving authentic mail. 

1. A mailbox, comprising: a mailbox comprising a rectangular box with an opening; a lid; and a hinge that hingeably attaches the lid to the box to cover the opening; and play stamps having an adhesive backing.
 2. The mailbox game, further comprising: stationary; and letters.
 3. The mailbox game of claim 1, wherein the mailbox further comprises a flag rotatably attached to the box.
 4. The mailbox game of claim 1, wherein the mailbox further comprises a dial with to provide a mailbox status of full or empty.
 5. The mailbox game of claim 1, further comprising a drawing surface on the box and/or the lid.
 6. The mailbox game of claim 1, wherein the mailbox further comprises animated features.
 7. The mailbox game of claim 6, wherein the animated features include a set of eyes positioned on the box.
 8. The mailbox game of claim 7, wherein the animated features include curved cut-out areas on the lid that resembles a character having a forehead proximate to the eyes.
 9. The mailbox game of claim 6, wherein the animated features include a mail slot in a lower portion of the box that resembles a character with a mouth.
 10. The mailbox game of claim 1, wherein the mailbox further comprises: one or more rollers positioned in the box; a motor that rotates the one or more rollers; a motor controller that controls operation of the motor; and a push-button switch to send a command to the motor controller to operate the motor.
 11. The mailbox game of claim 10, wherein the mailbox further comprises a mail slot proximate to the position of the rollers.
 12. The mailbox game of claim 1, wherein the mailbox further comprises: a motion sensor; a switch to operate the motion sensor; a speaker; and a processor configured to emulate speech upon activation of the motion sensor.
 13. The mailbox game of claim 1, wherein the mailbox further comprises: a platform positioned in the box; one or more springs positioned between the box and the platform; and a lever to release the platform from a position of maximum spring compression.
 14. The mailbox game of claim 1, wherein the mailbox further comprises: an axel rotatably mounted in the box; a platform attached to the rotatable axel; and a lever to tilt the platform causing mail to slide out of the box.
 15. A method of playing a mail game, the method comprising: mounting a toy mailbox to a door of a child's room; depositing mail in the mailbox; and manipulating a signal device to indicate that mail is deposited in the mail box.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein mounting includes mounting the toy mailbox with an adhesive.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein mounting includes mounting the toy mailbox with one or more magnets.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein depositing mail includes adhering a play stamp to the mail deposited in the mailbox.
 19. The method of claim 15, wherein manipulating the signal device includes raising a flag.
 20. The method of claim 15, wherein manipulating the signal device illuminating a light. 